Mrs. Paulina Doe Hilton, Head of Secretariat of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism (LCM) of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria has urged the Liberian government to demonstrate a practical political will by ensuring budgetary support for TB and other health programs in the country.
Madam Hilton was quick to say that donor organizations are getting tired with Liberia and other countries in Africa because of weak political commitment toward their own national programs.
She spoke at the official program commemorating World Tuberculosis Day 2018 (WTBD 2018) which was held under the global theme, “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free World; with a national theme, “Leaders, Make History. End TB.”
The LCM Secretariat Head said it is now time for the government of Liberia to see reason to assume the responsibility of paying a little percent as a matching fund to make up to donors funding coming to the country for TB and other programs.
She said although the country has a number of priority areas, it is also important that government demonstrates to donor partners some level of ownership by committing a little percent of every annual budget to support the implementation of health programs in the country.
Madam Hilton also urged health workers and public institutions working in the health sector to change their behaviors and attach seriousness, and stop using public service to undermine progress.
She observed that the behaviors of some public service providers has over the years undermined progress in the health sector because they are forgetting about the interest of the public they serve.
Global Fund donates 92 motorbikes to help reduce illnesses and deaths associated with Malaria in Liberia
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (TGF) through Plan International Liberia has turned over 92 motorbikes put at the total cost of three hundred forty five thousand United States dollars (US$345,000) to the Ministry of Health of Liberia to help reduce illnesses and deaths associated with Malaria. The Ministry of Health and Plan International Liberia are Principal Recipients of the Fund malaria grant.
Malaria prevalence currently stands at 31% (LMIS 2016) with children under ages 5 being most at risk. The national target is to reduce illnesses and deaths associated with Malaria by 50% by 2021.
The County Health Teams of Nimba, Margibi, Lofa, and Bomi counties benefited from the donation with Nimba receiving the largest chunk of 57 bikes. The motorbikes donation was funded by The Global Fund through the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism (LCM). The bikes are intended to be used by Community Health Services Supervisors (CHSS) to scale-up quality health services delivery, monitoring, and supervision at the community level in the counties for the purpose of reducing malaria illnesses and deaths.
Speaking at one of the donation sites in Ganta, Nimba County, Mrs. Paulina Doe Hilton, Head of Secretariat of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism (LCM), appreciated Plan International Liberia for the donation which according to her is an outcome of reprogramming of grant fund intended to reduce malaria prevalence in the country approved by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (TGF) worldwide.
According to her, the Global Fund and Plan International Liberia have done their part by procuring the bikes and turning it over to the County health teams.
“It is now left with the county health teams with support of the CHSS to ensure that the desired targets to reduce malaria by 50% are met.
“The Global Fund grant is performance-based, which means that funding is based upon proven results against time-bound targets, so Plan and Liberia depend on you for the continuation of the CHSS program. Use the motorcycles for the purpose it will be given to you for. Don’t use it for different reasons,” the LCM Head of Secretariat Hilton urged.
However, the LCM Head of Secretariat noted that there will be regular quarterly oversight visits to ensure that gaps in the implementation of the grant are identified and addressed.
In a remark, Plan International Liberia Country Director, Evelyn Moorehead thanked the Global Fund for such a significant support to Liberia and the CHSS for their continuous commitment to enhancing quality health services delivery in Nimba County that contributes to national targets of reducing Malaria by 50% by 2021. She therefore urged the CHSS to use the bikes to improve the quality of their work.
“I know you’ve been doing great jobs in Nimba and we know you can do more, so we look forward to that. I also called on you to use the motorcycles for the intended purposes; doing so is to the best of your county and the people of Liberia,” the Plan Country Director Moorehead averred.
Also speaking, the representative of the Community Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health, S. Olasford Wiah, thanked the Global Fund and Plan International for the donation and called on the CHSS to use the bikes wisely. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Health support to work along with the County in ensuring the targets for which the bikes were donated are met.
For his part, Community Health Focal Personof the Nimba County Health Team, Julius Monwan said the CHSS Program was given birth to following the nation’s Ebola Crisis which saw eradication of the devastating virus from the country due to involvement of the community.
In his words: “We know you’ve been doing your best and I am of the strongest conviction that you will exceed our expectations. So go out there, do your best, and do the work of our people.”
Meanwhile, Plan International Liberia has commenced a major transformation by swapping staffs in its operational counties. Both Mohamed Mansley and Patricia B. Diggs, previously assigned in Margibi and Nimba counties, respectively, were swapped. Officials of Plan say the intervention is intended to increase efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the goals set by Plan for the next three years.
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